Before sitting down for her interview with US Equestrian, 17-year-old Hannah Kim had just finished an AP exam. A day full of balancing academic rigor with a passion for the barn is pretty much Hannah's normal.
Hannah, a saddle seat rider based in Tampa, Florida, is this month's USEF Interscholastic Athlete of the Month, and it's easy to see why. She's the definition of a student athlete: sharp, thoughtful, and deeply committed to both her studies and her sport.
From Summer Camp to the Green Shavings
Hannah's journey into riding began, the way many great stories do, a little unexpectedly. Her mother, Grace, had a friend whose child had Down syndrome and regularly attended equine-assisted therapy sessions. She became intrigued by hippotherapy, which is a specialized physical, occupational, or speech therapy treatment using equine movement. In learning about the benefits of equine-assisted therapy for children with disabilities, her own curiosity led her to start looking into horses as an activity for her daughter. She found a summer camp, and Hannah was immediately hooked.
"I really liked the experience," Hannah recalled. Starting around age 10, near the end of fourth grade, she grew increasingly consistent in her training — especially through the COVID-19 pandemic, when she channeled her energy into developing her skills.
Her discipline is saddle seat, a natural fit given the barn she trained with, but it's also become a genuine love. What draws her to it most, she says, is the partnership with her horse. "The horses are really excited to work. They're very game and willing. It's about keeping up with them and improving so you can communicate the best with them."
600 Hours and Counting
Hannah joined the USEF Interscholastic Athlete Program in fifth grade; around the time she was first discovering what riding could be for her. Since then, she has logged approximately 600 hours of training and riding, a number that reflects not just dedication, but a deliberate investment in growth.
She has competed at a wide range of shows, including the Gasparilla Charity Horse Show at the Florida State Fairgrounds, the Ocala International Horse Show at the World Equestrian Center, the Pro-Am Benefit Classic in Georgia, and the Blue Ridge Classic Horse Show in North Carolina. Perhaps the most memorable milestone came when she traveled to Louisville, Kentucky, to compete at the World's Championship Horse Show — riding on the iconic green shavings that are a hallmark of the event.
"That was actually one of my dreams," she said simply. "Being able to go there was really cool."
More Than Competition
For Hannah, the interscholastic program has been about far more than ribbons and rankings. Her current partner in the ring is an American Saddlebred gelding named Father Chapin, or “Astro” as he’s called affectionately, and she describes their relationship as an ongoing lesson in communication and trust. "He's very willing and enjoys his job, so I just have to keep up with that," she said. "It's been a big opportunity for me to learn to work with and grow with him."
When asked what she would tell a student considering joining the program, Hannah's answer was immediate and genuine. She spoke about the value of learning from others, and of seeing different techniques and perspectives. "It’s also taught me a lot about sportsmanship,” she explained. “It’s more than a competition. To me, the people I compete with are also people with the same passion as me. We’re part of the same community. It’s important to be more uplifting, kind, and remember to create good memories together." She also spoke about the values that years of riding have instilled in her: accepting feedback, giving feedback, building something collaborative.
"It teaches you skills that you can apply to your everyday life," she said. "How to be a good sport. How to build a good community where it's more about collaboration rather than only about yourself."
Looking Ahead
As for the future, Hannah is clear about one thing: horses aren't going anywhere. Her short-term focus is on continuing to grow with Astro and pushing herself in competition. Long-term, she hopes to keep riding through college and well beyond — even if the logistics of how that looks are still taking shape.
"Riding is so important to me," she said. "I would like to ride horses for the rest of my life."
With 600 hours already behind her, a long list of show experience on her resume, and an AP exam checked off before lunch, it's safe to say Hannah Kim is just getting started.
You don’t have to be a record-setting quarterback, point guard, or track star to letter in junior high or high school sports anymore. The US Equestrian Interscholastic Athlete Program is open to equestrian athletes who participate in any breed or discipline. To earn letters, athletes should be a subscriber or competing member of US Equestrian. Learn more here.